Welcome to the first installment of ecco film and video, an online continuation of the paper-based publication known as ecco, the world of bizarre video. Those who remember the printed version might recall that its publication was sporadic at best. With the ease of the internet, as well as the comparatively low cost of production, this online version should - should! - appear more frequently.

Much has happened since the last printed issue of ecco, the world of bizarre video. The primary mode of home viewing then was the VHS or Betamax tape. Analog video has been superseded by digital formats that improve the quality of both image and sound, bringing viewers closer to the theatrical experience. Many of the titles that were once available on tape can be found on DVD, Blu-ray, or as digital downloads, and others have been introduced to the home viewer for the first time.

New business paradigms finally forced the demise of Blockbuster Video, the old bête noire, and reports of a resurgence of "mom and pop" video stores seem to contradict the conventional wisdom that film distribution is moving online for good. Meanwhile, "long tail" marketing techniques and specialty retailers have brought a wealth of films to small but dedicated contingencies of eccentrics and fanatics, aka cinephiles. It's an exciting time for film fans eager to travel beyond the mainstream.

ecco film and video notes with sorrow the passing of Mike Vraney, the founder of Something Weird Video, on January 2, 2014 at the untimely age of 56. Something Weird was one of the primary sources for ecco, the world of bizarre video, and a regular advertiser. Mike and I met by phone before he began what would become his life's mission. I had recently introduced ecco, and both of us were obsessive traders of hard-to-find exploitation films. I still recall our conversation when Mike said, "Charlie, my wife says I have to do something with all these videos."

And he did. With Something Weird Video, Mike transmogrified from a collector of cinematic curiosities to the pre-eminent archivist of the sort of films that make mainstream archivists recoil. The Criterion Collection may have dusted off The Blob, but I'm not holding my breath for their restoration of Psyched by the 4D Witch (one of the hundreds of obscure titles from the Something Weird Video archive). For more on the amazing array of films made available by Mike's efforts, see Tim Lucas' tribute in the January 29 Video Watchblog.

Mike's stated mentors and advisors were the masters of guile who made and marketed the exploitation films of the thirties through the eighties, a group collectively known as the Forty Thieves. The title "The Forty-First Thief" bestowed upon him by the late David F. Friedman was not undeserved. Like his forty forbears, Mike was a colorful character. Competitors sometimes decried his predatory tactics. But the customers knew that if a square-up reel was to be found, it would be on the Something Weird DVD along with a generous helping of extras.

And while I'm sure that Mike was pleased with the success of Something Weird Video, I doubt that anything thrilled him more than excavating yet another exploitation classic previously thought lost. He was thoroughly committed to his role as both savior and purveyor of films too far beyond commercial acceptance to be deemed worthy of rescue. Artist Lisa Petrucci, Mike's wife and business partner, has created a tribute page on Facebook in his memory. He will be missed by family, friends, customers, and anyone who recognizes the significance of his accomplishments. Farewell, old pal.